Vigil
You barely left Halbrand's bedside whilst he recovered. You felt some guilt over not helping with the wounded, but when you eventually did offer, you were turned down. When you asked why, they just smiled and assured you that you needn't bother, as it was no place for the future queen of the Southlands to be offering aid. The Númenórean healers were kind folk, happy to put others before themselves. They could see how serious a condition Halbrand was in, and deemed it best for you to remain at his side, and for this you were very grateful. You fell asleep that night with your head resting on his bed, fingers interlocked, and when you awoke nothing had changed. The only difference now was the feeling of your love running his free hand gently through your hair.
You sighed dreamily, letting him know you were conscious, then you opened your eyes and gazed up at him. "I didn't mean to wake you." he spoke, weakness in his voice. "I couldn't help myself." He continued to stroke your head, and it felt wonderful. "It's okay, my love. How do you feel?"
"I've felt better." he uttered, a small cough finishing his sentence. You reached up and touched his forehead to grasp the state of his fever. It seemed to have subsided, but it was indeed lingering. You grazed his cheek with your thumb, hoping the comforting sensation might ease him. "Have you been awake long?"
"Perhaps an hour, I am not sure. Everything seems... distorted." he spoke, coughing again.
"Okay, no more talking now. Save your voice. I want to hear tales of your battle when you are better."
He smiled at you lovingly, but he struggled to keep the fear out of his expression. He truly suspected he was not long for this world. You chose to ignore this fact, instead offering him another sign of comfort, your lips upon his. He kissed you back with all the strength he could summon. You could feel sadness welling up inside you, threatening to spill over, but you refused to let it. Halbrand deserved to see the brave face of his queen, not a mournful woman on the verge of becoming a widow. Grabbing a wet cloth from the bedside table, you rinsed out as much excess water as you could, before placing it across his forehead, hoping that the damp material would help to lessen his pain.
It was then that a new face arrived at Halbrand's bedside. She was a beautiful woman, with a long braid of dark hair down her back. The sincerity in her eyes endeared her to you instantly. "I am Bronwyn, my lady. I overheard the state of our king and thought it best I come check on him myself."
"Are you a healer?"
"Aye. How is his fever?"
"It won't leave him. I'm not sure what else to do."
"Let me see the wound."
You rose up to give her space, and watched as she tended to your love. Halbrand winced as she lifted his shirt to inspect the gash. You looked on as the expression on her face turned from focus to concern. "It is as I feared. The wound has advanced beyond our skill to heal. All we can do is try and keep the fever down during the journey to Pelargir and pray his body has strength enough to fight it. I am sorry." You felt the colour drain from your face at her words, the numbness you had previously felt returning. Somehow you managed a smile and thanked Bronwyn for her assistance. She gave Halbrand's hand a caring hold, and took her leave to see to the other injured.
After a few minutes, Halbrand fell to slumber for hours that felt like days. It was pure agony watching him suffer like this, with you unable to do anything to cure him of his ills. After a while, and with him unable to witness, you let your fear manifest physically, not stopping the despair from filling your face, your sobs bursting out of you uncontrollably. One of the other healers came to check on you then, dropping to your side, her arm immediately around you. "It's alright my lady, it's alright."
You wanted to lash out at her in frustration but something about her prevented you from doing so. However, you still questioned her words. "It's not alright... he's... not alright... I'm losing him... I can feel it. It's slow, but... it is happening." You suddenly threw yourself on the stranger beside you, but she did not push you away. Instead she brought you into her and let you weep until there were no more tears left within. You took a deep breath, an attempt to calm yourself, and you couldn't help but smell something on the air. This woman... she had an all too familiar scent. It was of lairelossë, and you only had known one person to ever carry that aroma. Your mother. You squeezed the stranger tightly, and felt as if your mother was squeezing you back. You closed your eyes and she appeared before you in your mind. Alive once more. She was engulfed in the whitest of lights, glowing like a star as she embraced you. You heard her whisper in your ear.
"Hold onto me... do not let me go..."
She called your name and it echoed into the voice of the poor woman you were near strangling. Releasing her abruptly, you apologised profusely, feeling your cheeks reddening in embarrassment. It was then you heard a small chuckle coming from the bed. Halbrand had stirred it seems, to your moment of sheepish vulnerability. The healer rose to check on her patient, and you locked eyes with your love, glaring at him for laughing at you. "What was that?" he pondered aloud.
"Something I'd rather not have you see." you spoke, wiping your tears away, coming back to the image of courage you wanted him to witness. Halbrand, of course, noticed this instantly.
"You don't have to pretend with me, my love."
You sighed, struggling to answer him. "But if... if I don't keep it together then what hope is there for either of us?"
He raised a hand to your cheek and you leaned into his touch. "There is hope that you will live on. And rule where I cannot. I will join my ancestors and pray they judge me better than I deserve."
You shook your head profusely and laughed. "Halbrand, I cannot cry anymore, please don't."
He laughed with you, beaming up at you from his pillow. "Kiss me."
You did not hesitate, obliging him swiftly. It seems more of his strength had returned during his sleep, for he could muster more than a mere grazing of lips. It was a desperate longing that emanated from him now, with his tongue caressing your own, and you gave into him hungrily, kissing him as if it may be the final time. Before long however, a clearing of the throat nearby broke you both apart. It was the same healer you had embraced not so long ago.
"Forgive me my lord, my lady, but it seems you are about to have company."
The two of you barely had time to compose yourselves before Arondir and Bronwyn entered the tent, and with them was a true sight for sore eyes. "Galadriel!" you exclaimed.
She smiled at you. "It is good to see you safe and sound."
"And you as well." you replied as you watched Galadriel's expression turn as she glanced at your love.
"Halbrand. I thought you had died." she spoke, her voice filled with relief.
"Better for me if I had done." he said, and you locked eyes with him, squeezing his hand in comfort. He squeezed back.
Arondir interjected then, explaining to Galadriel how you and the Southlander had found him on the road yestereve. "The wound soured overnight." Bronwyn continued, "I thought to try and treat him on the road but..."
Galadriel moved closer to Halbrand to inspect his condition for herself. She immediately decided the wound needed Elvish medicine or he would not survive. "Can he ride?" she asked Bronwyn.
"I'll have the healers gather what provisions they can." she replied, and quickly left to ready the king for his departure.
"Well, my friend. It seems fate has in store for us one more raft." Galadriel spoke with hope in her voice, which gave you what you needed to keep hope alive in yourself.
"This is not over." spoke Halbrand, and you turned to see a defiant look upon his face, almost an anger that seemed to be brewing under the surface. "I will not abandon these lands and condemn them to burn. Nor will you." You glanced back up at Galadriel as his words sunk in. You recognised the same anger and defiance in her expression as well. It seems the battle was lost but the war was very much far from over.
"Okay, let's get you up." you said, praying that things would not take a turn by moving him. Once you helped Halbrand out of bed and were satisfied he had sure footing on the ground, one of the Númenórean healers handed you a cloak for your king. You draped it over him, using a beautiful circular brooch to pin it together. The rich fabric was a dark shade of blue that suited him so well. For a dying man he looked quite regal indeed. You smiled at each other briefly, and Halbrand held out his hand for yours. As your fingers interlocked, you turned and gently made your exit.
The three of you marched slowly together, you and Galadriel matching Halbrand's weakened pace. You couldn't believe he could stand up let alone walk given the state of him. The surviving Southlanders stood on either side of you, lining your path. Each of them bowed as you walked by, and you felt Halbrand give your hand a squeeze. You watched stunned as they paid their respects to your king, and it would seem to you also, their future queen. You couldn't deny the surge of power the ran through you at that moment. It was thrilling.
Making your way to the horses, you noticed they were the same two that Halbrand and Galadriel had ridden into battle barely a day ago. Soon, a chant had begun. "Strength to the king!" His people were behind him and it was a joy to witness. You mounted the beautiful brown horse, and Halbrand took his place behind you. You would take the reigns on this journey, letting him save any energy he could. A young boy approached Galadriel then, with dark brown hair and a curious face that matched his age, which couldn't have been much more than 13 or 14 years. He held aloft a sword, and you recognised it as Galadriel's.
"Keep it... soldier." she spoke knowingly.
"Commander." he replied before bellowing out a new chant, that the people took up instantly. "Strength to the Southlands!" You felt Halbrand's arm across your belly, and you placed a hand on top of his. Galadriel and you locked eyes then, and she spoke without words. The time to leave was now. You followed her out of the crowd and across the hills, galloping in the direction of Halbrand's salvation.